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Crucible: Star Wars Legends

By:
Troy Denning

Narrated by:
Marc Thompson

Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,271

Performance

5 out of 5 stars
1,184

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,190

When Han and Leia Solo arrive at Lando Calrissian’s Outer Rim mining operation to help him thwart a hostile takeover, their aim is just to even up the odds and lay down the law. Then monstrous aliens arrive with a message, and mere threats escalate into violent sabotage with mass fatalities. When the dust settles, what began as corporate warfare becomes a battle with much higher stakes - and far deadlier consequences. Now Han, Leia, and Luke team up once again in a quest to defeat a dangerous adversary bent on galaxy-wide domination.

Exciting

An off-kilter and sometimes satisfying swan song

Overall

4 out of 5 stars

Performance

5 out of 5 stars

Story

3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 07-13-13

First, I'll answer the first obvious question. Yes, Marc Thompson does a brilliant job with the material. He easily elevates the book by a star at least. In fact it's safe to say that the book is worth the purchase just for Thompson alone.

There are a couple of bothersome things about Crucible. The villains and Denning's penchant for physically torturing our heroes. The bad guys are touted as geniuses but they're really dumb and silly. They should be no challenge for Luke, Han and Leia. I think had Denning played up the B movie aspects of the story with some humor and irony the way Matt Stover did with Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor, we'd really have a tongue in cheek winner here. As it is, the ride is pleasant enough except for the odd torture sequence.

I don't think Denning knew that this would in all probability be the last post ROTJ novel. It was mostly written before the announcement of Episode VII. As it is, it is an oddly appropriate conclusion to the era. In lieu of this being a possible end I felt good about Denning's inclusion of so many well loved characters even if they often had little to do.

Allegiance: Star Wars Legends

By:
Timothy Zahn

Narrated by:
Marc Thompson

Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,590

Performance

5 out of 5 stars
1,494

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,487

The destruction of the Death Star by the Rebel Alliance was a decisive blow against the Empire, but Palpatine and his monstrous enforcer, Darth Vader, are no less of a threat. The brutal extermination of Alderaan not only demonstrated the magnitude of their murderous power, but served as a chilling testament to their resolve to crush the Rebel uprising. Standing against them, Skywalker, Solo, and the Princess remain uncertain opponents. Luke is gifted and brave, but unschooled in the power he possesses.

Middle of the road Zahn is still good Zahn

While Random House is recording old Del Rey Star Wars novels, I'd like them to take a crack at I, Jedi, Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor, and the entire New Jedi Order series. Just saying.

Marc Thompson is what buying these adaptations are about in some cases. This is that case. The book makes a much better audiobook than print novel. It's kinda dry. It doesn't quite pull you in like its sequel, Choices of One does. Let's hope we see that one recorded soon. Still, they could have picked way worse books to do. Fair story. Excellent execution.

16 of 16 people found this review helpful

Into the Void

Star Wars Legends (Dawn of the Jedi)

By:
Tim Lebbon

Narrated by:
January LaVoy

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
2,512

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
2,331

Story

4 out of 5 stars
2,327

On the planet Tython, the ancient Je’daii order was founded. And at the feet of its wise Masters, Lanoree Brock learned the mysteries and methods of the Force - and found her calling as one of its most powerful disciples. But as strongly as the Force flowed within Lanoree and her parents, it remained absent in her brother, who grew to despise and shun the Je’daii, and whose training in its ancient ways ended in tragedy. Now, from her solitary life as a Ranger keeping order across the galaxy, Lanoree has been summoned by the Je’daii Council on a matter of utmost urgency.

Sharp writing and a great story!

What made the experience of listening to Into the Void: Star Wars the most enjoyable?

Tim Lebbon's world building and prose. The man can write this stuff!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Into the Void: Star Wars?

The whole thing was so good that I can't really select one moment. And I really can't say that about too many recent Star Wars novels.

Have you listened to any of January LaVoy’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Nope. She was pretty good. I enjoyed hearing a woman's voice in a Star Wars book with a female protagonist. Marc Thompson is pure awesome and all but this was a nice change. I felt January made it easier to feel like we were inside Lanoree's head.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The climax of the novel was very emotional.

Any additional comments?

Lebbon does an outstanding job inter-cutting a flashback of Lanoree's Je'daii training with her brother, Dal, and her pursuit of him 9 years later. It gave the novel a balance and depth that it wouldn't have had had Lebbon simply stuck with the chase and nothing but. It also serves to explain the differences between the modern Jedi and the ancient Je'daii.

15 of 19 people found this review helpful

Annihilation

Star Wars: The Old Republic, Book 4

By:
Drew Karpyshyn

Narrated by:
Marc Thompson

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
2,811

Performance

5 out of 5 stars
2,586

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
2,585

The Sith Empire is in flux. The Emperor is missing, presumed dead, and an ambitious Sith lord’s attempt to seize the throne has ended fatally. Still, Darth Karrid, commander of the fearsome Imperial battle cruiser
Ascendant Spear, continues her relentless efforts to achieve total Sith domination of the galaxy. But Karrid’s ruthless determination is more than matched in the steely resolve of Theron Shan, whose unfinished business with the Empire could change the course of the war for good. Though the son of a Jedi master, Theron does not wield the Force - but like his renowned mother, the spirit of rebellion is in his blood.

Skip this one if you like a coherant story

This book series is based on a game so, gamers maybe? Gamers with really low expectations.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Looking forward to Tim Zahn's Scoundrels

What about Marc Thompson’s performance did you like?

Usually I really love Marc Thompson. He's one of the best in the business but I thought he made the thin cartoonish characters sound even more cartoonish. I don't blame him though. It must have been pretty tough trying to make any of this dialogue sound believable.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. I really wanted to like this one.

Any additional comments?

Just this. Each Drew Karpyshyn book seems worse than the last. The Bane books were great fun. Revan was uneven but endurable. Annihilation was just all over the place and had an unlikable lead character. It's very hard to care about a Star Wars book when you don't like the protagonist.